Feed-water heater



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- ,.B. G. TQGOLLES.

FEED WATER HEATER.

No. 512,806. A Patented Jan. 16, 1894.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. G. T. COLLE-S.

FEED WATER HEATER.

No. 512.806. Patented Jan. 16, 1894.

l1 11,1111 l11h;l 1 H 11 HH 11 "l (No Model.) Y a Sheets-'sheet s.

E. G. T. COLLES. EEED WATER HEATER.

No. 512,806. 'Pateed Jan. 16, 18,94.

nu y

NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.v

EDWARD G. T. COLLES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FEED-WATER HEATER.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 512,806, dated January 16,1894.

Application' fiiearebmry 15,1393. serial No. 462,491. (Na model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD G. T. CoLLEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use-k ful Improvements in Feed-Water Heaters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to improvements in feed water heaters, and more particularly to that class known as open heaters, e. g., thoseA in which the exhaust or other steam employed for heating the water is admitted into the tank of the heater in the presence of or dialong with it a portion of the water in the' tank and also such water of condensation as forms in the pipes between the boiler and the heater; such action not only resulting in the formation of scale and deposits in the steam pipes leading from the heater, and in the depletion of the feed water, but also permitting the premature escape of the steam and thereby depriving the feed water of the full benefit of the heat thereof.

Hence, one of the objects of my invention is to provide improved means for preventing the premature escape of the steam from the heater and for arresting the escape of th water therewith. l A

Another object of my invention is to automatically regulate the discharge or withdrawal of the feed water from the heater in proportion to the supply of the water thereto.l

Another object of my invention is to provide improved means for spraying the supply von the line 3 3, Fig. l.

comes into contact with the water in the c heater.

A still further object of my invention is to combine a closed heater with an open heater and to cause the feed water to pass rst through one and then the other, but also to cause the steam to first enter lthe heater through which the water passes last; whereby the water will be first heated and then superheated by the steam at its highest point immediately before entering the boiler.

My invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of Ypartsby which the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter described are attained, and which features are fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings, Figure l isa vertical longitudinal sectional view of my improved `lopen feed water heater, the middle portion being broken away. Fig. 2, is a detail plan view of one of the floats hereinafter described. Fig. 3, is a vertical transverse section taken Fig. 4,' is an end View thereof looking into the steam inlet port. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of my improved combined open and closed feed water heater, and Fig. 6, isa transverse vertical section taken on the line 6 6, Fig. 5.

Like signs of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out myinvention,I employany suitable tank 1,which is preferably arranged in a horizontal position and is providedv at one end with an inlet port 2, for the admission of exhaust or any other steam employed for heating the feed water, and an outlet or exhaust port 3, for the escape of so much of the steam as is not condensed through contact with the water in the heater.

Arranged preferably at one extremity of the tank l, and near the upper portion thereof is a water supply pipe 4, which may be connected with the city supply, an elevated tank or reservoir, a pump or any other suitable source. This supply pipe is arranged in a horizontal position and adapted to discharge IOO lengthwise of an elongated spraying pan 5,

in in a substantially horizontal position on suitable brackets or supports 6, secured to opposite sides of the tank as more clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The pipe 4, is provided with a suitable valve or cock 7, which is adapted to be governed by a iioat S arranged within the tank and being so connected with the cock 7 as to open it and permit the ingress of water from the pipe 4, when the water in the tank falls below a predetermined level. This connection between the oat and the cock 7 may be any of the well known forms which will readily suggest themselves to the ordinary mechanic. I have shown however, and I prefer to use a rocker shaft 9, passing through a suitable stuffing box 10 secured in the end of the tank and being connected to the float at one end by means of a crank arm 11, and to the crank 12 of the cock, at its other end by means of a crank arm 13 and connecting rod 14.

The spraying pan 5 is provided at suitable intervals throughout its length and breadth with perforations or openings 15 through which the water sprays or falls through the current of steam as it passes through the tank from the inlet 2, to the outlet 3; thus `notonly spreading the waterout over a large area on the face of the pan immediately upon its discharge from the supply pipe 4, but again breaking up the bulk of the water loefore it falls into the main body of water in the tank, from the spraying pan,thcreby subjecting a given quantity of waterto the maximum volume of steam.

As the spreading pan receives the water from the city supply it becomes coated with scale and dirt and it is often necessary there-` fore to remove it for cleaning and other purposes; and in order that this may be accomplished Without taking the tank apart, I provide the tank in one end with a man-hole 16, which may be elongated in a horizontal direction as shown in Fig. 4, and I form the pan of a number of sections having longitudinal flanges 17, preferably on their under sides, bolted or otherwise secured together as shown in Fig. 8; the entire arrangement being such that a man may enter the tank and unbolt or disconnect the sections of the pan therein, and pass them out through the man-hole 16.

It being desirable to construct the pan of thin metal and in sections in the manner described, it becomes important to provide it with a support throughout its center, and to this end. I provide suitable hangers 18 which are secured to the top of the tank and at proper intervals throughout the length thereof, and pass through the pan and carry at their lower ends cross bars or supports 19, which extend across the underside of the pan for a suitable distance and upon which the center of the pan rests. I have shown in the drawings but two of these hangers, but it will of course be understood that those in the center are broken away and that any desired number may be employed, and as they are of but slight width as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, it will be seen that they offer but little resistance or obstruction to the water lowing over the surface of the pan.

In order that the steam as it rushes through the tank may not carry off particles of the feed water through the outlet 3, I locate above the spraying pan 5 and preferably parallel therewith a broad plate 2O which is perforated throughout the greater portion of its length and breadth and has its end 21 preferably turned downward in front of the Vsteam inlet 2, so as lto prevent the incoming steam from rushing into the water running over and falling from the pan, and thereby opposing its onward flow from the supply pipe 4, and also carrying off a large percentage of it through the outlet 3. This perforated plate 20 with its down-turned end 21 arranged as described, acts as a steam diffusing plate and shield or deflector, the perforations being for the purpose of permittinga gentle diffusion of steam under the plate both above and below the pan 5, and the purpose of the down-turned end 21 being to prevent the violent rush of the steam under the plate from the inlet to the outlet. The end 22 of this diffusing plate 2O immediately under the outlet 3 is imperforate. The perforations are omitted at this point for the purpose of further breaking up or obstructing' the straight course of the steam from the inlet to the outlet, and to still further obstruct this course, I provide the plate 2O on its upper side between the inlet 2 andthe outlet 3, preferably at the edge of the imperforate portion 22, with an upright baffle plate 23 which extends transversely of the plate 20,'and is provided with a horizontally projecting portion 24 turned toward the steam inlet. Thus it will be seen that the steam in its course from the inlet 2 over the plate 2O will be baliied by the plate 23, and

forced downward by this horizontal projection 24, thereby causing considerable pressure above the plate 20 between the inlet 2 and the baffle plate 23, and compelling the steam to pass through the perforations in the plate 2O and diffuse itself throughout the lower portion of the tank, the perforations in the plate 2O providing a short course for the steam above the said plate 2O in getting below the plate to fill the partial vacuum created between the pan and plate by the sudden condensation taking place there. This steam diffusing plate 2O may be supported within the tank in any convenient Way, but I prefer to utilize the hangers 18 for the two-fold purpose of supporting the pan and this plate, and I accomplish this by simply providing the hangers with additional cross-bars 25 immediately below the plate 20 and upon which hangers the plate rests.

It is important that the level of the water in the tank 1 should be uniform, remaining, under all conditions, at substantially the same height, in order that there may be sufficient space between the spraying pan and IOO IIC

the level of the water below it, Within which to scatter the water in the presence of the steam. If this were not done it is readily seen that at times the water would rise and defeat the purposes of the pan and its perforations. To the end therefore, that the water may be automatically drawn outas fast and only as fast as it runs in, I provide the interior of the tank 1 with a second iloat 26 which is connected to the steam cock or valve 27 that regulates the doctor pump not shown, by any suitable connections such as described with reference to the float 8 and valve 7. The connections, however, between the float 2 6 and valve 27 are so constructed and arranged, as will be understood, as to produce a movement of the valve 27 just the reverse of or opposite to' the movement of the valve or cock 7 produced by the float S-that is to say, both floats rise and fall with the level of the water but the falling of the iioat 8 opens the cock 7, while the falling of the float 26 closes the cock 27, shuts off the steam from the pump and consequently checks the withdrawal ofv the water from the tank 1 through the boiler supply pipe 28. With such an arrangement it will be seen that the water will flow through the heater continuously, and that it will ow in as fast as it flows out, and the level of the water in the tank will consequently remain at substantially the same point; for any abnormal increase 0f the volume of water in the tank will cause the steam valve to be thrown open to awiderdegree and therebyaccelerate the action of the pump, while at the same time the ingress through the pipe 4 is proportionately decreased. When the water falls in the tank the action of the pump becomesless violent until the ingress and egress reach an equilibrium.

`Then this heater is employed in a system where the exhaust or live steam is condensed and led back into the heater for being again utilized in the boiler, such Water of condensation maybe let into the heater by any suitable pipe, such as the pipe 29. When this is done, it will of course be understood that the purpose of the supply pipe is simply to provide for any loss of Water which may take place through evaporation or escape of steam. It is also quite obvious that under ordinary circumstances the Water of condensation cannot flow into the tank faster than it flows out, but it frequently happens through some local causes, that the inliow will be temporarily suspend-ed from lack of condensation while at other times it will be abnormally profuse, and hence, under such circumstances, it becomes necessary to employ means for automatically regulating the egress.

The pipe 30 which supplies steam to the doctor pump not shown, may be provided with a by-pass 31 for supplying steam t-o the pump in the event the valve 27 should be out of order. In the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which is a combination of an open heater and a closed heater, the open heater if desired once as a baffle plate for the steam, and as means for catching and retaining the oil and grease carried in 'the steam, which may be drained off continuously or from time to time through the discharge pipe 33. In this instance the edge of the pan 32 between the steam inlet and outlet is provided with a horizontally projecting portion 24a which corresponds to and performs the same function as the portion indicated by 24 in Fig. 1, in this instance, however, it being turnedin the opposite direction. The end of the plate lis also turned downward at 21, and as in the other form, serves as a shield or deflector,but in this instance, to retard the too sudden exit of the steam through the outlet port 3, and to arrest anyjparticlesof water that may be carried in the steam rushing under the plate 20. But if desired, this plate may in either instance be perfectly dat as shown in dotted lines.

The steam space of the closed heater is connected to the steam inlet port 2 of the open heater, and the steam is admitted first to the closed heater through its steam inlet port 34, while the feed water is admitted first into the tank 1 in the manner described, and then forced by the pump or any other suitable means not shown,into the water space of the closed heater through its ingress pipe 35; thus bringing the water first into contact with the water of condensation which runs into the tank 1,' through the pipe 29,and which raises the temperature of the fresh water to a considerable degree, and then carrying the water thus warmed into the closed heater where it is subjected to the action ofthe steam at a point IOO where the steam is hottest, and at a pointwhere the water leaves the heater immediately be-y fore entering the boiler, the steam after having passed through the closed heater, passing into the open heater and assisting in raising the temperature of the water therein. This arrangement is advantageous for it is seen that if the fresh water were admitted into the closed heater in the first instance without previous heating, the condensation of the steam entering that heater would be much greater than if the temperature of the Water had first been raisedby contact with the return water of condensation in the tank 1. And moreover, if the fresh water came in contact with the steam at its hottest point when it first entered the combined heater, its temperature would decrease before reaching the outlet of the heater; whereas, when the water is first warmed and then immediately before entering thev boiler is subjected to the hottest portion of the incoming steam, this result does not take place.

IZO

The closed heater maybe of any suitable construction, but preferably one substantially like that shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 357,268, granted to myself February 8, 1887, 36 being the Water space having a boiler supply pipe 37, 38 being theinner or second and 39 the outer or first steam space which are connected together by apipe 40, and 4l being the blow-off.

The extremity of the inner or second steam space 3S is provided with an elbow pipe 39X which may be connected in any suitable manner with the steam inlet port2 of the open heater. I prefer, however, to eect this construction by thc means shown in the drawings. The elbow pipe 39X is threaded at one end in the annularhead orring38andat its other end itis provided with a flange 39a which is bolted to a second flange or ring 391. As clearly shown, this second flange 39b is provided with an enlarged portion proj ectiug up through the interior shell38b to afford metal for the engagement of the bolts or screws y, and it also has a lateral flange bolted or riveted to the under side of such shell 38",. The purpose of this construction is toprovide a sufficient thickness of metal for the attachment of the pipe 39X to the shell 39a. The pipe 39X coincides with a short coupling constituting the port 2, which coupling is provided at its upper end With a flange 2a riveted or secured to the shell 39C, and at its lower end with a flange 2b, it being necessary to arrange the flanges 2a and 2b close together as shown, because there is not sufficient room between them to rivet the lower"end to the tank or drum l, and consequently, screws or bolts 2C are employed, but the drum 1 is too thin to hold the screws, and therefore a separate thick ring l is riveted to the drum l, and the bolts or screws 2c are threaded in it.

If desired, one end of the steam space 38 may be connected with its other end by means of pipes 44 passing through' the water space' and being provided with bends for the purpose of taking up expansion and contraction', as shown in dotted lines; thus bringing the steam into more intimate relation with the water. In this event, the trumpet shaped mouth of the pipe 42 may be omitted.

The water tank or drum l, of either form may be provided with an overiiow or water line pipe 45 having a valve or cock 46, whereby any oil that might accumulate on the surface of the waterin the drum may be drained off. This pipe will be of further advantage in controlling the level of the water in the tank or drum in oase there should be a sudden iniiux causing the level to rise above the pan and diffusing plate. In this event, the cock 46 may be turned and the water quickly reduced to its normal level without waiting for the pump to draw it od, and also without necessitating the forcing of the surplus water which at such time is cold, into the boiler.

The level of the water may be indicated by a gage 47.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a feed Water heater the combination with the water drum or tank having a steam inlet and outlet, of a perforated steam diusing plate located therein between the water and the said inlet and outlet, and a baffle plate interposed between said inlet and out let, substantially as set forth.

2. In a feed water heater, the combination with the water drum or tank having inlets and outlets for steam and water, of a water pan arranged under the water inlet and a steam diffusing plate located between said pan and the steam inlet and outlet, substantially as set forth.

3. In a feed water heater, the combination with the water drum or tank, having inlets and outlets for the steam and watelgof a perforated water pan and a steam diffusing plate arranged between said pan and the steam inlet and outlet, substantially as set forth.

4. In a feed water heater, the combination with the water drum or tank having inlets and outlets for the steam and water, of a perforated water spraying pan and a perforated steam diffusing plate arranged above said pan between the steam inlet and outlet, substantially as set forth.

5. In a feed water heater, the combination with the water drum or tank having inlet-s and outlets for the steam and water, of a perforated water spraying pan and a perforated steam diffusing plate arranged between said pan and the top of the drum or tank, and having abaifle plate,interposed between the steam inlet and outlet, substantially as set forth.

b'. In a feed water heater, the combination with the water drum or tank having steam inlet and outlet ports, of a perforated steam diusing plate arranged between the water and said steam ports and having a baflie plate interposed between the said steam ports, said diffusing plate beingi mperforate opposite one of said ports, substantially as set forth.

7. In a feed water heater, the combination with the water drum or tank having inlets and outlets for the steam and water, of a water pan arranged in said tank, a perforated steam dilfusin g plate arranged above said pan between said inlets and outlets and having one of its ends down-turned, substantially as set forth.

8. In a feed water heater, the combination with the water drum or tank, of a water pan arranged in said drum and composed of separate sections and hangers secured to the upper part of said drum and supporting the sections of said pan, substantially as set forth.

9. In a feed water heater, the combination with the water drum or tank, of a water pan arranged therein andy composed of separate sections and hangers passing through said pan and having cross bars upon which the pan rests, substantially as set forth.

10. In a feed water heater, thecombination IOO IIO

with the water drum or tank, and the water pan and steam diffusing plate arranged there- 1n, and composed of separate sections of hangers secured to said drum and having upper and lower cross bars upon which said plate xindlpan rest respectively, substantially as set 1l. In a feed Water heater, the combination with the water tank or drum having a steam port at or near each end, and a water pan located Within the drum of a steam diifusing plate arranged over said pan and a water inlet arranged at one end of said pan, said disfusing plate having a down-turned end at the other end of said pan whereby it will be between the pan and one of said ports,substan tially as set forth. v

12. In a feed water heater, the combination of the water tank or drum having a supply and discharge and separate and independent means for respectively arresting automatically the discharge when the supply opens, substantially as set forth.

13. In a feed water heater, the combination with the water tank or drum having a Water supply and discharge, and a spraying pan arranged therein, of separate and independent valves for respectively governing said supply and discharge and separate and independent iioats arranged in said tank and connected with said valves and adapted to open and close said valves respectively as the waterin the tank falls, substantially as set forth.

14. In a feed water heater, the combination of an open and a closed heater, the water discharge of one being connected tothe water inlet of the other, and the steam discharge of said other being connected to the steam inlet of the first, substantially as set forth.

15. In a feed water heater, the combination of an open and a closed heater, the water disy charge of the open heater being connected to the water inlet of the closed heater, and the steam discharge of the closed heater being connected to the steam inlet of the open heater, and a steam diffusing plate arranged in said open heater between the steam inlet and the water line, substantially as set forth.

16. In a feed water heater, the combination of an open and a closed heater, the water discharge of one being connected to thewater inlet of the other and the steamdischarge of one being connected to the steam inlet of the other, a steam diffusing plate having perforations arranged within said ropen heater between the steam inlet and the Water line, and an oil pan arranged under the steam inlet of the open heater, substantially as set forth.

17. In a feed water heater, the combination of the water tank or drum having steam inlet and outlet ports, of a perforated steam diffusing plate arranged in the upper part of said tank or drum and having an oil pan provided With a blow-off or drain, arranged under the steam inlet port, substantially as set forth.

18. In a feedwater heater, the combination with the water tank or drum having steam inlet and outlet ports, of a steam diifusing plate arranged in the upper part of said drum and an oil pan arranged under said inlet port and having a lateral projection at'one edge thereof, located between said inlet andoutlet ports, substantially as set forth.

19. In a feed water heater, the combination with the shells 38h-39C, the head 38a and the tank 1of the elbow pipe secured at one end in the said head and having a iiange at its other end, the fiange 39b secured to the shell 38b and bolted to the flange on said elbow pipe, a flange 1a secured to the drum 1, and a coupling coinciding with said elbow pipe and having the ange 2a at one end secured to the shell k39 and a flange 2b at its` other end bolted to the flange la, substantially as set forth. EDWARD G. T. OOLLES.

Witnesses:

R. C. OMoHUNDRo, F. A. HOPKINS. 

